More than 500 residents from South Orange County and beyond attended a regional town hall meeting tonight at the Laguna Hills Community Center to learn about ongoing efforts to address the proliferation of “sober living homes” in their communities.

The State Senate today unanimously approved bipartisan legislation authored by Senator Ted Gaines and co-authored by Senator Patricia Bates, Assemblyman Mike Gatto and others that would protect first responders if they damage a drone during the delivery of emergency services.

The State Senate today unanimously approved a resolution by Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) that urges Congress and President Obama to approve legislation that would move nuclear waste from the closed San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station to a safer location.

The Senate Health Committee this evening defeated Senate Bill 1283 by Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) that would have allowed a city or county to craft health and safety standards for sober living homes.

On a partisan vote, the Senate Education Committee today voted down Senate Bill 1249 by Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) that would have restored the full ability of school districts to save money in reserve accounts.

Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) is encouraging high school students to participate in a statewide photography contest that seeks images representing the Golden State. The “California Through My Eyes” contest is sponsored by LegiSchool, a civic education collaboration between the California...

The Senate Public Safety Committee today approved bipartisan legislation authored by Democratic Senator Bob Hertzberg (D-Van Nuys) and co-authored by Republican Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) and others that would make “ransomware” the criminal equivalent of extortion. It would be a crime...

Two Senate committees today approved three bills by Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) that would enhance support of California’s military veterans. Two of those bills would provide tax relief and one would remedy an oversight concerning veterans clubs in state law.